Road improvements would overlap private properties in Rockford
“A strategy, allowed by the State of Illinois, gives cities like Rockford power to take private land for public use. Local leaders could use this authority for an upcoming road project.
“We hope to start construction next summer.”
That’s the city’s goal for the Harrison Avenue Project– a city and state initiative. The driving force behind the project is making road improvements to an area that’s been without for a while.
“It’s one of the worst sections in terms of conditions for that kind of arterial highway system,” says City of Rockford Administrator Jim Ryan.
There is a dispute over the numbers, which could put the brakes on moving forward with aspects of the project. The city wants to widen a stretch of Harrison, from 11th Street to 20th Street. R.L. Leek Industries, a local trucking company, is located inside those boundaries. The city would need to extend Harrison onto a piece of Leek’s property.”
Passolt, Kelsie. WREX 30 September 2014.